Download Buoy Desktop
Free download · macOS · Windows · Linux · auto-updates
Buoy Desktop is a native dashboard for macOS, Windows, and Linux that mirrors your on-device Buoy tools to a full-size window in real time. Same tools as the floating menu — with dramatically more room — plus a live performance HUD, multi-device switching, and remote control over the running app.
React Native and Flutter devices speak the same protocol, so they show up side by side in one dashboard.
Download Buoy Desktop for macOS, Windows, or Linux from the GitHub releases page. It auto-updates, so you stay on the latest build. Buoy Desktop is free to use — a Buoy Pro license unlocks full history and unlimited capture, and every weekend Pro unlocks for everyone.
Buoy tools sync to a local broker on port 42831. Launch Buoy Desktop first; it starts the broker and auto-detects connected devices. Use the device switcher in the title bar to choose which device every tool inspects. If no device appears, the dashboard shows a troubleshooting panel with your machine's exact URLs and a test you can run from the phone's browser.
The connection is automatic. The app derives the broker address from the Metro dev server that served the bundle, so simulators, emulators, and physical devices on the same Wi-Fi all find your machine with zero config.
Need to point somewhere else? Pass socketURL in the externalSync prop:
<FloatingDevTools externalSync={{ socketURL: "http://192.168.1.20:42831" }} />
<FloatingDevTools externalSync={{ socketURL: "http://192.168.1.20:42831" }} />
Just installed a @buoy-gg package? Restart Metro with --clear — Metro caches the "optional package missing" resolution, and a plain reload never picks the new package up.
BuoyDevTools(
socketUrl: 'http://192.168.1.20:42831',
child: child ?? const SizedBox.shrink(),
)
BuoyDevTools(
socketUrl: 'http://192.168.1.20:42831',
child: child ?? const SizedBox.shrink(),
)
iOS will show the Local Network permission prompt on first connect — tap Allow. After adding a new buoy_* package, do a full restart (hot reload won't pick up new registrations).
The desktop app hosts the same local broker the MCP server uses. Your app connects as a device; the dashboard connects as a "Dashboard" client and receives live state and sends actions over the external-sync protocol. Nothing leaves your machine.